Verdant Jade Island.
Inside the Mystic Jade Cave Residence.
“Intercalation thod? So this is how Li Rulong managed to slip away back then.”
After watching Xu Hei’s broadcast, Fang Qing finally resolved a lingering doubt in his heart.
Then he saw how Xu Hei, with the old fox’s help, managed to escape all the way to safety. Along the way he even picked up soone else’s storage bag. Fang Qing could only sigh in disbelief.
“This Xu Hei really does have absurd luck.”
This subordinate had originally been recruited on a whim, yet he had turned out to be surprisingly useful.
More importantly, every ti he entered markets or exchange etings he would encounter danger. Yet each ti he sohow managed to barely escape with his life. In a strange way, he possessed the potential of an almost unkillable survivor.
This ti, after fleeing Pu Clan Mountain City together with Qingling, he had overheard quite a few secrets.
“Pu Shanjun’s rebellion this ti is going to cause huge trouble for Cloud Grazing Cliff… Hmm? Why do I suddenly feel like disaster is approaching?”
Fang Qing had been gloating when his brows suddenly furrowed. A faint premonition rose in his heart.
The discussion about the Esoteric monks crossing east had happened after Xu Hei was abandoned, so he had not heard it.
Fang Qing quickly cast a divination, yet the hexagram yielded no clear result. He could only shrink back slightly.
“Forget it. At worst I’ll just go to Ancient Shu less often and focus on the ruins here first. I also need to switch cultivation thods…”
Thinking of this, he took out the 'Listening to the Mysterious Cavern Spring Scripture' and began studying it.
“This is a [Ji Water] Purple Mansion cultivation thod. It forms the Dao Foundation ‘Riding Upon Wind.’ One must ingest ‘Cavern Spring Clear Qi,’ which requires locating an underground spiritual spring and refining it with clear wind… ranked seventh-rank, lower grade.”
“Ingesting qi… again.”
In Fang Qing’s understanding, the difference in qi quality corresponded to the requirents of cultivation thods. In essence, it was simply a matter of rank.
“For example, the Great Sun Purple Qi ranks ninth-rank upper grade, so it can be used to cultivate almost all Great Sun techniques.”
He said almost because he was not certain whether a ninth-rank supre grade Great Sun qi existed.
Since true qi had been divided into nine ranks and thirty-six grades, logically such a thing should exist.
Yet the Great Sun Purple Qi itself only ranked ninth-rank upper grade. The various Taiyin qi types were probably similar. Fang Qing truly could not imagine what kind of qi could reach the absolute peak.
“anwhile, the ‘Earth Spring Tempered True Qi’ I currently possess is only fifth-rank middle grade. At most it can cultivate certain [Ji Water] Dao Foundation thods. It cannot support Purple Mansion techniques. If I want to improve it, I must rely on ‘Primordial One Gives Birth to Water’ to elevate its rank. Once it reaches seventh rank or higher, I can cultivate the Purple Mansion thod ‘Long-Awaited Sweet Rain.’”
“In short, it all cos down to one sentence. Higher-rank qi can accommodate lower techniques, but lower-rank qi cannot support higher ones. The whole system is full of traps.”
“If you ingest the wrong qi from the beginning, aside from the Intercalation thod or ‘Primordial One Gives Birth to Water,’ there is almost no way to fix it.”
“The path of Qi ingestion really is full of pitfalls. The cultivation thods themselves hide even more traps. Even a Purple Mansion cultivator like Pu Shanjun can still fall into them.”
“If I followed the ancient thods… well, forget the ancient thods.”
Fang Qing thought of the Great Sun True Explanation. Even now he still could not understand it, much less begin cultivating it.
A cultivation thod that could not even be started was useless, no matter how powerful it might be.
“Fortunately, I don’t need to search for ‘Primordial One Gives Birth to Water.’ As long as I ingest one more strand of Cavern Spring Clear Qi, I can instantly forge the ‘Riding Upon Wind’ Dao Foundation.”
He considered his current options. Among the Dao lineages he possessed, only the [Lou tal] and [Ji Water] lineages had Purple Mansion cultivation thods capable of reaching the early Purple Mansion stage.
The [Zhen Water] technique Whale Devouring the Vast Sea did have further Purple Mansion stages, but he had yet to obtain them.
Without question, the [Ji Water] thod tied to his natal foundation was the true path that could potentially carry him all the way to Purple Mansion.
As for the demon race’s Purple Mansion techniques, who knew what other traps might be hidden within them.
“Ancient Shu really is full of pitfalls everywhere. I’d better focus on forming my Core first on this side. Only then will I have enough ti to slowly deal with their sches.”
Ti flowed like water.
Before he realized it, several more months had passed.
Inside the cave residence.
Fang Qing reclined leisurely on a soft chair, holding an ancient book in his hands.
This was sothing Xu Hei had recently submitted from his gains in Pu Clan Mountain City. It was a immortal calendar.
After examining it, Fang Qing realized it was most likely a collector’s edition preserved by a cultivation clan. He found himself reading it frequently.
“First month: [Xu Sun]. Second month: [Niu tal]. Third month: [Wei Fire]. Fourth month: [Fang Sun]. Fifth month: [Kang tal]. Sixth month: [Yi Fire]. Seventh month: [Xing Sun]. Eighth month: [Gui tal]. Ninth month: [Zi Fire]. Tenth month: [Mao Sun]. Eleventh month: [Lou tal]. Twelfth month: [Shi Fire].”
“These are the Twelve [Year Arbiters], established as early as the Primordial Age. Each once produced unimaginable great powers.”
“Thus the Sun aspect divides into Xu, Fang, Xing, and Mao. The tal virtue includes Niu, Kang, Gui, and Lou.”
“Fire virtue splits into Wei, Yi, Zi, and Shi.”
“These three prominent Dao traditions, together with the Taiyin Moon aspects Xin, Zhang, Bi, and Wei…”
“The Water virtue lineages Shen, Ji, Zhen, and Bi…”
“The Earth virtue lineages Di, Nu, Wei, and Liu…”
“The Wood virtue lineages Kui, Dou, Jing, and Jiao…”
“Together these Yin-Yang Five Virtues form twenty-eight Dao lineages. This should encompass the entirety of the Qi ingestion cultivation path in Ancient Shu.”
According to Fang Qing’s speculation, during the Primordial Age the Great Sun and the tal-Fire Dao traditions likely produced True Lords first. That was how they secured the positions of the Twelve [Year Arbiters].
“Perhaps afterward the other traditions also produced True Lords and competed for the [Year Arbiter] positions? Nurous True Lords walked the earth, battling each other and falling one after another… which eventually led to the event of the Bi Moon Crow devouring tal and Fire.”
“And after the last True Lord of the [Fang Sun] lineage achieved enlightennt in the Ancient Antiquity era, all the True Lords withdrew from the world. Since then, Purple Mansion cultivators have been the highest visible power.”
“What kind of secret lies hidden behind that change?”
Fang Qing’s thoughts drifted far away. After a long while, he shook his head with a bitter smile and set the immortal calendar down.
“This sort of ancient and primordial secret… I am only a lowly cultivator. My conclusions rely entirely on fragnts of knowledge and personal speculation. It is rather laughable, and there are surely many mistakes.”
“Still, if one wishes to avoid pitfalls while cultivating in Ancient Shu, this kind of archaeological research cannot be neglected. Otherwise, you may die without even knowing how it happened.”
“But is it possible that knowing too much will simply get you silenced?”
“No matter which way you look at it, death awaits. Truly a miserable place.”
Inside the cultivation chamber.
Fang Qing swallowed a Water Essence Pill and sat cross-legged.
As the genuine Water Essence Pill refined within his body, the efficiency of the Blue Sea Technique surged dramatically.
In the end, within the Qi sea of his dantian, it condensed into a new droplet of deep azure mana. A faint smile appeared on his face.
The collection of “Clear Spring Dew” still required ti, and Ancient Shu was far too treacherous. For now, strengthening his Qi Refining path remained the priority.
“Twenty-eight droplets of liquid mana at the upper limit… still so distance from the fifty droplets that mark the peak of mid Foundation Establishnt.”
Fang Qing sighed softly. After taking too many genuine Water Essence Pills, their effects inevitably grew weaker and weaker.
“However… that ruin is rumored to contain a fourth-rank spirit vein. Spiritual flowers and herbs grow everywhere. With a bit of searching, one can easily find third-rank spiritual dicine. It is still worth looking forward to.”
“If I can obtain a large number of pills that increase mana, I should quickly complete my accumulation of power…”
He calculated the materials he currently possessed for refining the second-rank superior-grade Barrier-Breaking Pill. Ever since he acquired the Qionghua Branch at the auction, he had already gathered seventy percent of the ingredients.
The remaining auxiliary materials could likely be collected over the next few years.
Moreover, if he gained sothing from the ruins this ti, then not only second-rank superior-grade pills, but perhaps even third-rank Barrier-Breaking Pills might beco possible.
A thought stirred in Fang Qing’s mind as he connected with the Dao-Genesis Pearl and switched to Qin Ruxue’s live broadcast.
Very quickly, he obtained the latest information about the ruins on Tianxin Island.
“It’s confird. The ruins will open in about half a year.”
Fang Qing withdrew his awareness. “And the torn opening is very small. Only Qi Refining cultivators can enter without being struck by the restrictions?”
It seed certain that the sect would soon issue a corresponding mission.
After thinking for a mont, Fang Qing left his cave dwelling and saw Xiang Dahu sitting cross-legged outside the thatched hut, cultivating.
“Martial Uncle.”
Xiang Dahu hurriedly ended his cultivation and bowed.
“You cultivate an earth-attribute technique. How well have you practiced your spells?” Fang Qing asked casually.
“Spells? The Thick Earth Shield and Earth Escape Technique are fairly proficient… The Earth Cannon and Earth Spike techniques are passable.”
Xiang Dahu replied sowhat awkwardly.
“Very well. Let test you.”
Fang Qing had him demonstrate each technique in turn and offered a few pointers. At the end, he suddenly asked, “With your aptitude and combat comprehension, becoming a true disciple will be difficult. So tell … do you still wish to reach Foundation Establishnt?”
“Of course I do!”
Xiang Dahu’s eyes shone brightly. Foundation Establishnt was the lifelong goal of countless Qi Refining cultivators in the Minor Huan Sea.
Yet after answering, his expression dimd slightly. He knew nothing of the hundred arts of immortal cultivation. His combat ability was diocre, and he certainly lacked connections with the council of elders.
Perhaps if he served under an elder diligently for his entire life, he might one day gather enough contributions to exchange for a defective Foundation Establishnt Pill from the sect and attempt it once?
“What if I told you that within the next year you could have a chance at Foundation Establishnt, though it would involve risking your life?”
Fang Qing asked aningfully.
“This subordinate is willing to try!”
Xiang Dahu clasped his fists, his expression resolute.
“And what if I could guarantee your Foundation Establishnt success completely… but from that mont onward you would be bound to serve ?”
Fang Qing asked another question.
He was rely laying the groundwork in advance. If Xiang Dahu refused, it would not matter. The Blue Sea Sect had tens of thousands of Qi Refining disciples. Many possessed poor aptitude and could not even break through to late Qi Refining in their entire lives.
Offer those disciples a one hundred percent chance at Foundation Establishnt and see whether they would be willing to give up everything.
“This disciple is willing!”
Xiang Dahu spoke firmly. “If Martial Uncle had not previously granted that spiritual water, my foundation would have been ruined. I might never have reached late Qi Refining in this lifeti. Even without the opportunity for Foundation Establishnt, I would still follow Martial Uncle forever.”
“Perhaps a little exaggerated, but still pleasant to hear.”
Fang Qing nodded inwardly.
“Very well. I will grant you a bottle of pills that increase mana. Go back and cultivate diligently, especially your spells and your control over magical artifacts.”
After Xiang Dahu acknowledged the order and left, Fang Qing thought to himself:
‘This person is only a backup candidate. I must find several more to confuse matters.’
Several months passed.
Qin Ruxue returned from Tianxin Island.
At the sa ti, a mission was formally posted in the sect’s Hall of Administrative Affairs.
“Secret realm exploration. Treasure hunting and herb gathering. Only Qi Refining disciples may apply, and late-stage cultivation is required.”
“The sect promises that after inspection, disciples may retain part of the treasures they obtain. The more treasures and spiritual dicines handed over to the sect, the greater the rewards. Foundation Establishnt Pills and even talisman treasures may be granted.”
Listening to Qin Ruxue relay the mission, Fang Qing felt a trace of anticipation.
“So it has finally arrived. Is there a limit on the number of participants?”
“Based on the size of the restriction’s tear, it should allow two hundred people to enter, and the opening will last one month.”
Qin Ruxue replied, “Our sect and the Sea-Destroying Alliance will each send one hundred people. Once inside the secret realm, slaughter between them is inevitable. In this mission, if thirty percent of the disciples survive, it would already be considered fortunate.”
“And not only that. Aside from cannon fodder, elite disciples will certainly enter as well. So of them may even carry talisman treasures.”
Fang Qing smiled.
“No matter how formidable a Qi Refining great-perfection cultivator might be, if they encounter such disciples, they can only consider themselves unlucky.”
T/N:- Here are english nas for reference again:
East (Azure Dragon): Jiǎo (Horn), Kàng (Neck), Dǐ (Root), Fáng (Room), Xīn (Heart), Wěi (Tail), Jī (Winnowing Basket).
North (Black Tortoise): Dǒu (Dipper), Niú (Ox), Nǚ (Girl), Xū (Emptiness), Wēi (Rooftop), Shì (Encampnt), Bì (Wall).
West (White Tiger): Kuí (Legs), Lóu (Bond), Wèi (Stomach), Mǎo (Hairy Head), Bì (Net), Zuǐ (Beak), Shēn (Three Stars).
South (Vermilion Bird): Jǐng (Well), Guǐ (Ghost), Liǔ (Willow), Xīng (Star), Zhāng (Extended Net), Yì (Wings), Zhěn (Chariot).
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